"I would like to thank Pura Mangkunegaran Palace for organizing the One Sura parade and hope this will be an effort to preserve culture," Director General of Culture at the ministry, Hilmar Farid, said in Solo, Central Java, on Wednesday.
Sura is the first month of the Javanese calendar.
The "Evening of One Sura" procession at Pura Mangkunegaran Palace was led by the grandson of the first president of Indonesia, Soekarno, and the first son of the Duke of Mangkunegara IX, GPH Paundrakarna Jiwa Suryanegara.
Four heirlooms were displayed in this year's procession. The parade was followed by thousands of people, including the royal families and relatives of Pura Mangkunegaran, as well as Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo and Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
In addition, hundreds of commoners were also present at Pura Mangkunegaran to witness the procession from beginning to end.
The parade started from the main gate of Pura Mangkunegaran on Ronggowarsito Street, then headed to Kartini Street, RM Said Street, and Teuku Umar Street before returning to the palace.
"This event is an effort to advance culture," Farid said.
The Sura 1, 1957 (Javanese Calendar) or 1 Muharam 1445 Hijri (Islamic Calendar) in Solo, Central Java, will be celebrated with two parades, namely in Pura Mangkunegaran and Surakarta Hadiningrat Sunanate Palace.
The first procession of the heirlooms (Kirab Pusaka) was held on Tuesday night (July 18) at Mangkunegaran Palace and another at Surakarta Palace on Wednesday night (July 19).
The second procession at Surakarta Palace will feature white buffalos that are believed to be sacred.
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Translator: Astrid H, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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